The Mount Vernon News sports department’s MVN ATHLETE of the WEEK is a weekly feature that spotlights local student-athletes and their schools. Based on their performances, we will select an ATHLETE of the WEEK and recognize other outstanding athletic accomplishments.
This week, OHSAA post-season competition takes center stage as softball and baseball players rise to the top. Our Athletes of the Week are Maddy Cotsamire (East Knox softball) and Grant Bentley (Northmor baseball).
Female Athlete of the Week
Maddy Cotsamire
East Knox won and lost playoff games 1-0 and Lady Bulldog Maddy Cotsamire was lights out on the mound in both games. In EKs’ 1-0 win over Liberty Union, Cotsamire pitched seven innings, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out 11. She was just as solid in defeat as EK lost 1-0 to No. 1 Johnstown-Monroe 1 in the district finals of the Division III, Region 10 tournament.
Cotsamire went all six innings for East Knox, striking out five while walking a batter, allowing four hits and only one unearned run.
Honorable mention goes to Juliette Laracuente-Huebner, who won three gold medals and tied a state record in the OHSAA district meet. Laracuente tied the state mark in the 110-meter hurdles, won the 200 dash, won the long jump and finished second in the high jump.
Honorable mention also goes to Highland’s Stevie Asher for leading the Scots to a 5-3 win over No. 1 Jonathan Alder. Asher picked up the win in a seven-inning effort where she struck out seven batters, walked four, gave up three runs with two earned and scattered six hits. She also drove in Highland’s tie-breaking run in the top of the seventh on a two-run single.
Male Athlete of the Week
Grant Bentley
Northmor’s Grant Bentley stepped up again to lead the Golden Knights over No. 2 Fairfield Christian 6-1 in the district semifinal of the Division IV, Region 16 OHSAA state tournament. Bentley fired a two-hitter, going the full seven innings, allowing two walks and an unearned run.
Honorable mention goes to Mount Vernon’s Cooper Carpenter, who had a big OHSAA volleyball tournament in leading Mount Vernon to three victories. In the last two wins and the Jackets’ season-ending loss, Carpenter had 29 assists, nine digs, two blocks and three kills in beating No. 7 Lincoln. He had 48 assists, five kills, two blocks and six digs in the Jackets’ win over No. 4 Olentangy Berlin. And he answered the bell in the season-ending game vs. No. 1 Olentangy Liberty with 31 assists, eight digs, five kills and a block.
To coaches and community members, join us in our award process. Send us your choices for MVN ATHLETE of the WEEK, a recap of their prowess in competition and a photo of them and give them the community recognition they deserve. Encourage your community members and coaches to contact us each week. Send your selections to mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com.
